OVERVIEW FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 MARCH 2020 COMPARED TO QUARTER ENDED 31 MARCH 2019
The Group had a strong start to the year, with the operating and financial performance for Q1 2020, materially better than for the comparable period in 2019.
The US PGM operations reported an 8% increase in mined 2E PGM production relative to Q1 2019, reflecting the return to planned production rates at the East Boulder and Stillwater mines, despite the difficult ground conditions which continued to impact the Blitz project into Q1 2020.
The solid performance from the SA PGM operations continued, with 4E PGM production increasing by 59% year-on-year, driven by the successful integration of the Marikana operation following the acquisition of Lonmin Plc in June 2019.
Gold production from the SA gold operations also increased by 66% as production normalised compared with Q1 2019, which was impacted by the five-month AMCU strike.
Precious metals prices remained buoyant during Q1 2020, with palladium and rhodium prices reaching record levels, before falling in late March 2020 as rising concerns about the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a general collapse in most global markets, including precious metals. For the US PGM operations, the 2E PGM basket price averaged US$2,053/2Eoz for Q1 2020, 57% higher than for Q1 2019. Further depreciation of the rand provided an additional revenue boost for the SA operations, with the average 4E PGM basket price of R33,192/4Eoz for Q1 2020, 94% higher year-on-year and the average rand gold price received 35% higher at R795,323kg.
Group adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2020 was materially higher than Q1 2019, increasing by R10,324 million (US$666 million) to R11,132 million (US$724 million), which alongside a reduction in net debt, resulted in net debt:adjusted EBITDA (ND:adjusted EBITDA) decreasing to 0.75x at quarter end, from 1.25x at the end of December 2019.
The Group is in a solid financial position, with leverage now comfortably below our 1x target and sufficient liquidity, despite the temporary suspension of production at our SA operations in April 2020 in accordance with South African COVID-19 lockdown regulations.
Given reduced dollar net debt, available liquidity, including DRDGOLD increased to R18,315 million (US$1,026 million) at 31 March 2020, consisting of R16,357 million (US$916 million) cash on hand, R214 million (US$12 million) committed undrawn facilities and R1,744 million (US$98 million) of available uncommitted overnight facilities. Available rand RCF facilities were drawn down ahead of the COVID-19 lockdown in South Africa as a precautionary measure. The US PGM operations continued to operate during Q2 2020 to date, and following amendments to the SA COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, the SA operations are rebuilding to an initial 50% capacity. The Group has optimised working capital and increased liquidity and balance sheet flexibility to ensure an appropriately robust financial position. The primary priority remains to lower the Group’s net debt position further.
Following the market collapse in late March 2020 after an initial liquidity sell off, precious metals prices recovered quickly. Basket prices remain elevated compared to the same time in 2019 with further depreciation of the rand continuing to benefit revenues for the SA operations. The 2E PGM basket price has averaged approximately US$1,820/2Eoz for Q2 2020 to date, with the rand 4E PGM basket price averaging approximately R33,950/4Eoz and the rand gold price averaging just over R1,000,000/kg to date, which if sustained, will be positive for earnings and cash flow as the operational build up continues.
The future impact of COVID-19 remains uncertain and as such guidance will be provided once we have greater certainty about the operating outlook. For more information about our actions, announcements and response to COVID-19, please refer to https://www.sibanyestillwater.com/news-investors/happenings/responding-to-covid-19/.
SAFE PRODUCTION
The intense focus on safe production at our operations and the implementation of medium- and long-term safety initiatives, which are underpinned by the Zero Harm Strategic Framework, continues.
The SA gold operations achieved an unprecedented 11.5 million fatality free shifts on 6 May 2020, with over 620 days without any fatalities. An overall improvement of 13% in terms of the Total Injury frequency rate (TIFR) compared with Q1 2019, is also encouraging.
The US PGM operations’ safety performance also continued to improve with the Total Reportable Injury Frequency Rate (TRIFR) for Q1 2020, 25% lower than for the comparable period in 2019.
Regrettably, the SA PGM operations experienced four fatalities during the quarter, compared with two fatalities for the same period in 2019. On 7 February 2020, Mr. Khulile Nashwa, a Winch Operator at the Rowland mine, Marikana operation, was travelling in the haulage when a loco derailed and struck him. He was 49 years old and is survived by his wife and seven dependents. On 17 January 2020, Mr. Joao Abilio Silindane, a Rock Drill Operator at Bambanani mine, Kroondal operation, was fatally injured in a gravity-induced fall of ground incident. He was 56 years of age and is survived by his wife and two dependents. On 20 March 2020, Mr. Emanoel Kaphe, a Rock Drill Operator at Thembelani mine, Rustenburg operation, was fatally injured in a gravity-induced fall of ground incident. He was 48 years of age and is survived by his wife and two dependents. The fourth incident occurred on 24 March 2020, Mr. Rossofino Manhavele, a Conveyor belt operator at Siphumelele mine, Rustenburg operation, was found unresponsive lying in a prone position at the bottom of the stairway next to the reef conveyor belt tail pulley on surface. Mr Manhavele succumbed to his injuries on 30 March 2020 whilst still in Millpark hospital. He was 46 years of age and is survived by his wife and three dependents. The Board and management of Sibanye-Stillwater extend their sincere condolences to the family and friends of these employees.
A principal focus at the operations continues to be on identifying and, rectifying safety hazards and verifying that adequate close out has been achieved. In addition, ongoing monitoring of outlying working places in terms of risk score and/or compliance, remains a key area of focus. The Critical Control Management journey stemming from detailed risk analysis process that we embarked on in